1:1   I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz. And this is the message that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:

1:2   The LORD has said, "Listen, heaven and earth! The children I raised have turned against me.

1:3   Oxen and donkeys know who owns and feeds them, but my people won't ever learn."

1:4   Israel, you are a sinful nation loaded down with guilt. You are wicked and corrupt and have turned from the LORD, the holy God of Israel.

1:5   Why be punished more? Why not give up your sin? Your head is badly bruised, and you are weak all over.

1:6   From your head to your toes there isn't a healthy spot. Bruises, cuts, and open sores go without care or oil to ease the pain.

1:7   Your country lies in ruins; your towns are in ashes. Foreigners and strangers take and destroy your land while you watch.

1:8   Enemies surround Jerusalem, alone like a hut in a vineyard or in a cucumber field.

1:9   Zion would have disappeared like Sodom and Gomorrah, if the LORD All-Powerful had not let a few of its people survive.

1:10   You are no better than the leaders and people of Sodom and Gomorrah! So listen to the LORD God:

1:11   "Your sacrifices mean nothing to me. I am sick of your offerings of rams and choice cattle; I don't like the blood of bulls or lambs or goats.

1:12   "Who asked you to bring all this when you come to worship me? Stay out of my temple!

1:13   Your sacrifices are worthless, and incense is disgusting. I can't stand the evil you do on your New Moon Festivals or on your Sabbaths and other times of worship.

1:14   I hate your New Moon Festivals and all others as well. They are a heavy burden I am tired of carrying.

1:15   "No matter how much you pray, I won't listen. You are too violent.

1:16   Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong

1:17   and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help those in need."

1:18   I, the LORD, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool.

1:19   If you willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours.

1:20   But if you turn against me, your enemies will kill you. I, the LORD, have spoken.

1:21   Jerusalem, you are like an unfaithful wife. Once your judges were honest and your people lived right; now you are a city full of murderers.

1:22   Your silver is fake, and your wine is watered down.

1:23   Your leaders have rejected me to become friends of crooks; your rulers are looking for gifts and bribes. Widows and orphans never get a fair trial.

1:24   I am the LORD All-Powerful, the mighty ruler of Israel, and I make you a promise: You are now my enemy, and I will show my anger by taking revenge on you.

1:25   I will punish you terribly and burn away everything that makes you unfit to worship me.

1:26   Jerusalem, I will choose judges and advisors like those you had before. Your new name will be "Justice and Faithfulness."

1:27   Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right.

1:28   But those rebellious sinners who turn against me, the LORD, will all disappear.

1:29   You will be made ashamed of those groves of trees where you worshiped idols.

1:30   You will be like a grove of trees dying in a drought.

1:31   Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames.